A coupling comprising a brake plate (70); a first friction pad (64) operable to be selectively biased against the brake plate (70). In a first mode of operation the first friction pad (64) is biased against the brake plate (70) by a first force. In a second mode of operation the first friction pad (64) is biased against the brake plate (70) by a second force. The second force is substantially greater than the first force.

The invention relates to a brake device having a frame, at least one pair of mutually opposing braking elements, at least one actuation element in operative connection with each braking element, and a spring device, wherein each braking element has three joint sections which are arranged in a row and are connected to one another via flexure bearings, and the middle joint section of which has a contact section, and the two joint sections adjoining the middle joint section are each connected integrally to the frame via a flexure bearing, wherein a force is exerted on each braking element by means of the spring device, by means of which force the respective contact section can be pressed with a defined force against an element to be braked, and a force which counteracts the force exerted on the braking elements by the spring device acts on the braking elements by means of a continuous energy input into the actuation elements and, when the energy input into the actuation elements is absent, the force exerted by the latter on the braking elements is removed.

A torque transmission apparatus including: a stationary member, a movable member movable relative to the stationary member in a first direction, and a cavity defined between the stationary member and the movable member for retaining a fluid convertible between a default physical state during which the fluid exerts a force against the movable member in a second direction opposite to the first direction and a temporary physical state during which the force exerted against the movable member is reduced in response to application of a temporary magnetic flux.

The invention relates to a safety brake system comprising a round rotatable shaft locked with a constant-on braking device activated by a spring and a switch-off device for the braking device that counteracts the spring, so that the shaft is unlocked and can rotate when the switch-off device is active. According to the invention the constant-on brake device comprises a brake shoe pushed against the shaft by the spring and the switch-off device is a piezo actuator that counteracts the spring. The brake system is normally constant on since the spring pushes the brake shoe against the shaft. When the shaft needs to rotate the piezo actuator counteracts the spring, thus releasing the brake shoe from the shaft. In case of an emergency or when the shaft needs to be locked, the power to the piezo activator is shut off and the spring pushes the brake shoe against the shaft to stop any rotation.

A coupling comprising a brake plate (70); a first friction pad (64) operable to be selectively biased against the brake plate (70). In a first mode of operation the first friction pad (64) is biased against the brake plate (70) by a first force. In a second mode of operation the first friction pad (64) is biased against the brake plate (70) by a second force. The second force is substantially greater than the first force.

The invention relates to a brake device having a frame, at least one pair of mutually opposing braking elements, at least one actuation element in operative connection with each braking element, and a spring device, wherein each braking element has three joint sections which are arranged in a row and are connected to one another via flexure bearings, and the middle joint section of which has a contact section, and the two joint sections adjoining the middle joint section are each connected integrally to the frame via a flexure bearing, wherein a force is exerted on each braking element by means of the spring device, by means of which force the respective contact section can be pressed with a defined force against an element to be braked, and a force which counteracts the force exerted on the braking elements by the spring device acts on the braking elements by means of a continuous energy input into the actuation elements and, when the energy input into the actuation elements is absent, the force exerted by the latter on the braking elements is removed.

A variable resistance brake clutch facilitates a rotational coupling of electronic device components, and can include a rotatable shaft, a brake disposed proximate the rotatable shaft, and an actuator coupled to and configured to actuate the brake. The brake applies a braking force against a rotational motion of the shaft, and release of the brake results in low to no frictional resistance against the rotational motion. The braking force can be provided by default, and a capacitive touch sensor or other input component can allow a user to actuate the actuator manually to release the brake when desired. The release can be maintained as long as the sensor detects the touch event or other user input. A processor and solenoid can facilitate actuation by on a touch event, which sensor can be located at a back corner of a laptop upper component.

A variable resistance brake clutch facilitates a rotational coupling of electronic device components, and can include a rotatable shaft, a brake disposed proximate the rotatable shaft, and an actuator coupled to and configured to actuate the brake. The brake applies a braking force against a rotational motion of the shaft, and release of the brake results in low to no frictional resistance against the rotational motion. The braking force can be provided by default, and a capacitive touch sensor or other input component can allow a user to actuate the actuator manually to release the brake when desired. The release can be maintained as long as the sensor detects the touch event or other user input. A processor and solenoid can facilitate actuation by on a touch event, which sensor can be located at a back corner of a laptop upper component.